One of the old-timers around the Walking Horse scene in Texas is Mr. J. B. FLOYD of Denison. Mr. Floyd, whom we’ ve known as a judge for some time, writes articles for the VOICE from time to time. He said he recently bought Kid’ s Jetfire, a fine stud colt by Midnight Kid out of Olsen’ s Lady, to share honors with his filly, Texoma Dancer, and show mare, Slippery Sylvia.
HERBY MURRAY’ S big news was the recent sale of his Invasion’ s Shadow by Go Boy’ s Invasion out of a Bessie’ s H mare, to Dr. M. H. CARRIER of Decatur, Alabama, through GEORGE WITT of Athens, Alabama. Herb says Dr. Carrier is showing this horse and doing quite well with him.
According to EDDIE MILLIGAN of Lake Dallas we Texans are just now getting Walking Horse shows started and he hopes to see more like the Stephenville Show in the future. Eddie is a young man who just started training on his own last September but already has a number of fine horses, some being shown now: Go Boy’ s Strawberry, a three-year-old gelding that Eddie says has the " bloom and ambition” to make a good horse; Crystal Ball, a snowwhite two-year-old stallion that Eddie considers one of the most promising around, both owned by Mr. and Mrs. O. R. LATHROP of Frisco, Texas; Blue Bonnet’ s Pride, owned by KATHIE and LAURIE HUM PHRIES of Dallas; Goodbye Charlie, owned by Mrs. BETTY ALMOND of Dallas; Happie’ s Black Go Boy, a black stallion owned by Mr. FRITZ LYONS of Dallas; and Eddie’ s own Earthshaker, a beautiful palomino.
I had been corresponding with Mrs. GEORGE MOORE of Shreveport, Louisiana and looking forward to meeting her and her husband in Marshall. She introduced me to Mr. and Mrs. EUGENE R1ALL of Blanchard, La. who told me about their recent show, sponsored jointly by Blanchard Kiwanis Club and Vaqueros Riding Club. Plans are to make this show an annual event. Results of the W ' alking Horse Classes in this show are elsewhere in the VOICE.
One Saturday recently we spent the afternoon at the Sundown Stables in Garland, visiting with Dr. J. BYRON LANDRESS, owner, and G. W.( DUB) IVINS, manager. We were pleased to learn from them that the Garland show, a one-night affair, will be held September 18th with approximately the same classes as last year— Walkers, gaited horses and jumpers. Dr. Landress may be contacted for further information at 705 Walter Reed, Garland, Texas75040.
Dr. Landress explained the point system of the Texas Walking Horse Association, of which he is president. He told me that points are keps on Texas-owned horses ridden by amateur Texas riders in Texas shows and only in shows which have at least five Walking Horse classes. There are eleven different categories in which high-point trophies will be awarded following the last show, which he believes will be the State Fair of Texas show in October. He will be glad to answer any questions concerning this point system.
Dub says he has some horses in training well worth watching: TOM CLAY’ s Glory’ s Day and Ace’ s Merry Legs; WAYNE DAVIS’ mare Sunset Flame; and Dub’ s own Mack’ s Mercy Go Boy and Mack’ s Jr.
Walking Horses West
By Virginia Lamb
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The term " Walking Horses West” can mean many things to different readers. To me it means two things:( 1) that Walking Horses are moving west in greater numbers all the time; and( 2) thatthe Walker is adopting western ways and becoming a western horse. No longer is the Walker just for the idle rich show-minded people: the horse has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the breed is as versatile as the day is long, and can be ridden in any manner which the rider chooses. It’ s seldom you hear anyone say, " I’ d like to own one, but I can’ t afford a show horse” or " Sure, I like the Walker, but you can’ t ride him western!” These are terms of the past. Today you hear such statements as, " That’ s the best western pleasure horse I ever rode,” " I never knew English pleasure to be so easy to ride,” or " Anyone can own a good Walking Horse.”
I am not a true Californian. My pappy was born in Tennessee, my mother in Arkansas, and I came from Gideon, Missouri. I have lived in California most of my life, however, so I can almost be considered a native. Because of this, I grew up around western horses, namely the quarter horse, so I always rode a western saddle. I still do. When I was a youngster, my biggest ambition was to own a registered quarter horse. When I was old enough to work at just anything, I saved my money and, with the help of my mother, bought a little grey quarter-type mare for $ 150.00. As broke as we were, that was a lot of money. I bought, sold, and traded for a long time, bringing up the grade of horse I owned,. until one day I was able to buy my registered quarter horse. He was a beautiful claybank gelding, light palomino in color, with bright red mane and tail, star, and two hind socks. He was a colt. I raised, broke and trained him, and turned him out to winter pasture where he grew and grew until he reached the height of 16-3 hands. I kept two horses almost all the time so that I could take someone riding with me. Therefore, I have owned almost every breed of horse, both grade and registered.
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20 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse